Question 1

Why will this network be good for residents and businesses in East Haddam?

Accepted Answer

The Town of East Haddam is confident it will be able to achieve the following for residents and businesses:
Provide a competitive ISP marketplace to sustain cost of internet access for residents and businesses.
Significantly increasing the speed and reliability of internet access.
Creating real competition to give residents multiple options in selecting a service provider - on demand and in real time.
Building a state-of-the-art network to stimulate economic development, foster innovation and increase property values.
Improving access to services including public safety, transportation, healthcare, education, emergency communications, and new services that will become available by leveraging this advanced network.

Question 2

If I switch from Xfinity/Comcast internet to East Haddam Fiber, how will I watch my favorite television and cable programs?

Accepted Answer

Moving from Xfinity/Comcast cable programming to streaming these channels over East Haddam Fiber known as “Cutting the Cord”, is a simple process.   With a East Haddam Fiber internet connection, you access the same channels and program packages over your internet connection, in some cases for less than you currently pay for cable TV.
 
One of the big advantages of a East Haddam Fiber connection is the increased connection speeds and unlimited data plans.  You can watch your favorite shows over your East Haddam Fiber connection without worrying about monthly data cap limits.
 
Below is a list of articles and other resources to help you learn all you need to know about accessing all your favorite channels over your East Haddam Fiber internet connection.
 
https://www.allconnect.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-tv-streaming
https://www.lifewire.com/start-streaming-movies-and-tv-5207377
https://agoodmovietowatch.com/how-to/complete-list-streaming-services/
https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/streaming-media/
https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/streaming-media/how-to-replace-cable-tv-for-only-25-dollars-a-month-a6798410203/

Question 3

If I switch to East Haddam Fiber can I keep my home telephone?

Accepted Answer

If you have a home phone land line through your local telephone company (Frontier), you shouldn’t need to do anything to keep your phone.  If your home phone service is bundled as part of your Xfinity/Comcast internet services, and you want to keep your home phone service, you will need to switch to another VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service provider.  This is a simple and easy process.
 
The two largest and most popular VoIP providers are Ooma and Vonage.  Below are links for both companies with detailed instructions on how to switch your telephone service.
 
Ooma
Company Website: https://www.ooma.com/
YouTube Setup Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PyE4zurGz8
 
Vonage
Company Website: https://www.vonageforhome.com/
YouTube Overview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0IWDXdnHSA&t=8s
​

Question 4

Does the current state of digital access merit this action by the town?

Accepted Answer

The gaps in internet affordability, availability, and reliability are becoming increasingly important. Today’s technology-based interactions link and mediate our culture, the economy, and society. Connectivity expands opportunities and enlarges possibilities when affordable and available to all. People experience adverse outcomes because of existing barriers to digital access. A key consideration the town has evaluated is whether digital infrastructure should be treated as essential infrastructure and should the town take an active role in ensuring every resident and business can connect.

Question 5

What is the anticipated timeline for deployment of the East Haddam Fiber network?

Accepted Answer

If East Haddam Fiber moves forward it is anticipated that network planning and core implementation will take 1-2 years with businesses and neighborhoods being connected in years 2 and 3.

Question 6

Why is fiber optic infrastructure important?

Accepted Answer

Any public capital investment in infrastructure must also consider its usefulness and capacity to handle the projected growth of consumption. Over the past 30 years, the amount of data created, captured, copied, and consumed has increased. This trend will continue, and fiber-optics has a significantly longer lifespan than other media. Fiber’s capacity, durability, lower installation costs, and lower maintenance costs compared to other media makes fiber-optic cable a significantly better up-front investment with long-term payoffs.

Question 7

What does a 1-Gig symmetrical broadband connection mean?

Accepted Answer

"1-Gig” refers to a high-speed internet connection that provides a data transfer rate of 1 gigabit per second.  The term "symmetrical" means that the upload and download speeds are the same. (i.e. 1Gig/1Gig or 1000MB/1000MB)

What is download and upload speeds?

Download: When you download something, it is like getting a package delivered to your home.  On the internet you are taking something from the internet and using it on your computer.  (i.e. A movie, photo, game or song)

Upload: When you upload something, it is like sending a package from your home to somewhere else. On the internet you take something from your computer and send it to the internet.  (i.e. Posting a video, photo, song, document or email)

Downloading is about things coming to you from the internet, and uploading is about things from you going to the internet for others to see or use.

Question 8

Where will the Town get the funding?

Accepted Answer

East Haddam has applied for grant dollars through the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. The State of Connecticut is preparing to receive $184+ million from the federal government to increase internet connectivity and promote digital equity and inclusion.

Question 9

What is the State of Connecticut doing to support local Broadband?

Accepted Answer

Check out the DEEP website HERE to connect with current happenings, as well as, municipal installations throughout the state.

Question 10

Will everyone have access to the community fiber network?

Accepted Answer

Yes, access for all is a key consideration when the feasibility analysis for a Town wide Open Access broadband network was performed in 2022.

Question 11

How does internet access work today?

Accepted Answer

In East Haddam like most cities/towns in the U.S. there are various private businesses that provide internet access to residents and businesses.  Broadband availability, speed, and pricing are controlled exclusively by these private entities. There is no requirement that they provide equitable or affordable access to all residents, which can leave some at a disadvantage by being unserved or underserved.

Question 12

What does this mean for incumbent providers?

Accepted Answer

The Town recognizes and appreciates the historical investment already made by incumbent providers. The Town does not plan to force existing operators to change their current operations. They will be able to continue to offer their services as they have in the past.

Question 13

What about 5G or other wireless technologies?

Accepted Answer

All wireless technologies depend on fiber-optics. Wireless works best the faster it gets to fiber-optics. Major companies like AT&T & Verizon are now pursuing both a fiber-to-the-home strategy and a 5G strategy – stating publicly that these technologies are complementary.

Question 14

I have heard there have been problems across the country with community owned broadband networks. How will the broadband committee address these concerns?

Accepted Answer

Community owned broadband networks have been in existence for close to 20 years in the United States.  While some of the early networks struggled, there are many examples of successful networks over the past 10 years.  The Broadband Committee is exploring all options and will only proceed if confident that the Town can successfully provide a faster, more reliable, and cost-effective alternative to the current options.

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